Improvement in tremolos for organs



w. n. PARKER.

Tremolos for Urgans.

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'UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICEc WILLIAM D. PARKER, OF NVORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONEIIALF HIS RIGHT TO GUSTAVUS IV. INGALLS, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN TREMOLOS FOR ORGANS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,871, dated June 22, 1875; application filed April e9, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM D. PARKER, of Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State ol" Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tremolos l'or Reed or Pipe Organs, and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof', which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this speciiication, in which- Figure l represents a vertical longitudinal section 0t` a valve-tremolo77 to which any improvement has been applied, as also ot such parts of a reed-organ as will show the relation it sustains to the latter, the parts of the organ with which it is represented as beingconnected being broken oi' and detached. Fig 2 represents a horizontal section ot' the valve-box detached from the organ, as taken through the line lr no; and Fig. 3, a plan of the plate that forms the improved valve and valve-openin 0'.

The valve proper of the valve tremolo, as ordinarily constructed, is usually made ot' wood, hinged at one end and covered on its face with soft leather, and so constructed as to layT on its seat, and thus lap over its opening or air-passage.

As thus constructed, the air from the reeds comes up under the valve on its way to the suction-bellows, momentarily raising it from its seat, whence it is immediately thrown back again by the load or weight upon its back. The frequent repetition of these movements causes a continued vibration while the organ is being played, and thereby creates that pulsation in the tone of the reeds which is termed tremolo. But this lapping of the valve on its seat, as it is thus rapidly vibrated, causes it on each descent to strike upon its seat, thereby not only making an objectionable noise or sound, but otherwise imparting a jerky character to the pulsation created by its vibratory movement. To remedy these evils is the object of my improvement.

My invention consists in so constructing the valve and its air passage or opening that the former can play freely up and down through the latter, so that, having no seat but the air itself, it makes no noise, and produces an even and agreeable pulsation to the tone ot the reeds.

To enable others skilled in the art to make, construct, and use my improvement, I wilt now proceed to describe its parts in detail, omitting a description ot' such parts of an organ as are unnecessary to form a full understanding ol" the invention.

In the drawing, Fig. l, A represents the top ot the bellows, and B the partition that separates the reed-chamber O from the suctionn chamber I), of the valve-chamber E, formed by its cover or box F. The valve-box F is arranged to sit on the top of the frame Gr proper of the valve-tremolo. Frame Gr is of an oblong rectangular form, and consists ot' two side-pieces, a, connected together at their ends by cross-pieces b, and divided into two spaces o't' unequal length by a third crosspiece, c. 1n the walls of the longerspace is arranged the metal-plate d, grooves for its support being cut or formed in the side-pieces ay a, end piece b, and cross-piece c, and into which it is first inserted betere they are permanently secured together. The upper and lower faces ot' frame Gare each covered with soft leather, so as to form an air-tight packing between it on its upper face and the under edge of the valve-box F; and on its under side, between it and the valve or sounding-board H, on which it is made to rest, and to which it `is secured by means of two clamps or stay-pieces, c c, there being one arranged at each end ot the frame. These clamp-pieces are respectively secured at their upper end to the lower outer edge ot' one oi" the ends of the valve-box F, and at their lower ends, through a slot or hole in their foot and an adjusting-screw, to the valve or sounding board H, and are made of such length as to embrace and tightly compress the valve-frame G between the sounding-board and the lower edge ot' valve-box F, to prevent the passage ot' air between the Ljoints. This device is clearly shown in Figs. l and 2. f

In Fig. `3 is represented the valve f proper, and its air-port or opening. Preferably l form the valve and its opening or air-passage,

li, out of one sheet of metal, but not necessarily so, and this by stamping or cutting it out with a die of the length required, without entirely cutting or detaching it at its intended iixed or stationary end g, from plate d, and which, when properly cut, forms the valveport or opening i; but it may be entirely cut out or through to the end. and detached, if desired, as represented by dotted lines. This, however, is not deemed so good a plan, as it would involve another and distinct means of securing it to frame G beyond merely inserting it into the groove cut in the inner face of the end cross-piece b. The valvefand its opening i may be made of any suitable and correspending material and shape. An excellent shape for the purpose is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In order to increase the resiliency and vibratory power of the valve, where the thickness of the metal out of which it is cut is considerable, a portion of either the upper or lower surface of its metal at or near its fixed end g is cut away by grinding or other suitable means. Here it may also be observed that on stamping out the valve, the sharp or rough edges ot' the out, as well of the valve as its opening, are to be smoothed ofi' by a tine lile or other suitable appliance, in order that the one may freely play up and down in the other. Care, however, should be exercised not to increase the size of the one or diminish that of the other, either ot' which would have a tendency to destroy that requisite nicety of fit, so desirable to prevent the passage of air through the valve-opening without imparting a corresponding movement to the valve. With valve j' is combined the usual fan-blade on, regulating ball a, and rod n of the ordinary valvetremolo, they being rmly connected at one end to valve f, through the instrumentality of block o, and to each other at their other end, block o in turn being secured to the upper side and outer end of valvef.

rlhe operation is as follows: A current of air having been induced in the organ, through the action of the suction-bellows, causes it iirst to pass through the reeds, and then through the valve-tremolo opening The air in its course raises valve f, and then passes down through the opening q, in the valveframe G, and through opening q, in the sounding-board H, whence it is drawn through the suction-opening r of the bellows, as indicated by the arrows. The valve f having been raised by the air, it is then, by the action of the adjusted weight n and its own elasticity, immediately thrown down again, passing in its course below valve-opening fi. These movements are repeated in rapid succession as long as the bellows are acted upon, the tongue in each of its upward and downward movements playing freely up and down between the walls of openingi during the entire operation, thus never being violently or suddenly arrested, but, on the contrary, having perfect freedom to perform its full vibratory motion below, as well as above the valve-opening plate, thereby giving an agreeable fullness and smoothness to the pulsatory tones ot' the reeds, and which cannot otherwise be obtained.

It is evident that the same improvement can be readily applied to pipe-organs with the same effect, and witllout change of principle, by any one skilled in the art, without the application ot' further invention.

I am aware that the musical reeds of organs have heretoforc been made of one piece of metal with their frame. Such I do not claim; but

Vhat I do claim isl. Avalve to operate as a tremolo, when constructed to play freely up and down through its air passage or opening, and applied to thc reed-chamber in the manner substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A free valve, j', and its opening, t', in conibination with the fan ou, and adjustable weight fri/the whole arranged to operate substantially as set forth.

3. A free tremolo-valvc, made out of the same piece of metal as its frame, in the manner and for the purpose substantially as set forth.

lIn testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own invention, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WM. D. PARKER.

Witnesses DAVID MANNING, Jr., F. E. BAKKER. 

